Faceband equipped headwear



arch 1957 w. E. SCHUESSLER FACEBAND EQUIPPED HEADWEAR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 5, 1965 United States Patent "ice 3,307,202 FACEBAND EQUIPPED HEADWEAR Walter E. Schuessler, 800 Redbud Lane, Wilmette, Ill. 60091 Filed Mar. 3, 1965, Ser. No. 436,736 3 Claims. (Cl. 2173) This invention relates to headwear and, more specifically, to winter headwear for children and adults equipped with adjustable bands which may be shifted into face-covering positions.

While the headwear embodying the present invention is especially suitable for use by children, it is also highly effective for use by adults, especially in connection with winter sports and other outdoor activities where weather conditions, or the nature of such activities, may at times require additional protection of the wearers lower face portion against low temperatures or cold winter wind blasts. Skiing, skating and ice boating are examples of such sports or activities in which the headwear of the present invention now fully meets demands which were inadequately met by prior cap and face mask constructions.

The main object of the present invention is to provide headwear, either in the form of a cap or a headband, equipped with a stretchable faceband which may be easily and quickly shifted into a position covering a wearers lower face portion whenever the need for such additional protection arises. Another object is to provide a head covering in which the adjustable face-band, when it is not in its lowered face-covering position, provides additional warmth and protection for the ears and neck of a wearer or, may alternatively be shifted in position to provide additional protection for the wearers forehead or crown.

A further object is to provide a head cover and face mask combination in which the mask or band, when in its lowered face-covering position, contributes in maintaining the headwear in its entirety in proper position upon a wearers head, despite the vigorous activity of a wearer engaged in winter sports such as skiing, ice hockey and the like. a

A still further object of the invention lies in providing a head cover and face mask combination in which the mask or faceband may be readily shifted between any of its selected positions of adjustment without at the same there isa double thickness of fabric covering the ears.

time necessitating the removal of the 'cap (or headband) from a wearers head. An important object of the invention therefor lies in overcoming a major defect or disadvantage of prior cap constructions which requires such caps to be removed before the face mask may be shifted between its raised and lowered positions.

Other objects will appear from the specification and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the rear and side portions of a cap of the present invention as it is worn with the faceband in rearwardly-extending position;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view illustrating the front and side portions of the cap when it is worn 'with the faceband in forwardly-extending position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the cap illustrating the positions of adjustment of the faceband and showing more clearly the structural inter-relationship of parts;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a second embodiment of the invention, the view showing the side and rear portions of a headband equipped with a face mask disposed in rearwardly-extending position;

FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 5 showing the front and side portions of the headband with the mask in its lowered or forwardly-extending position;

3,307,202 Patented Mar. 7, 1967 FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the structure constituting a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a generally horizontal sectional view taken along line 88 of FIG. 7.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the head covering is in the form of a cap 10. Most desirably, the cap is formed of knitted material which is stretchable or resilient and which will fit snugly upon the head of a wearer 11; however, in some cases the cap may be formed of non-knitted fabric or material and, as brought out hereinafter, the stretchable face mask or faceband 12 wil nevertheless coact in maintaining the cap in snugly fitted position upon the wearer.

In the illustration given, cap 10 comprises an integral body having merging portions 13-17 which cover the crown, forehead, temples, ears and neck (or rear head portion) of a wearer. A decorative tassel 18 may be attached to the top of the cap and reinforcing stitching 19 may be provided about the edge of the caps bottom opening. It will be observed that the forehead, temple-, ear-, and neck-covering portions 1417 of cap 10 are adapted to extend as a continuous band about a wearers head (FIG. 4).

Cap 10 is equipped with elongated faceband 12 which is generally rectangular in shape and which has its ends secured by lines of stitching 20 to diametrically opposite temple portions 15 of the cap. It is essential that the band be formed of knitted material and that it be capable of stretching both longitudinally and transversely. It must also be porous so that when stretched over the lower face portion of a wearer (FIG. 2) it will filter but not appreciably obstruct the flow of breathing air.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, it will be seen that the lines of stitching 20 extend generally vertically and are dis posed on diametrically opposite sides of the cap. Thus, when the band is man unstretched state, its length is substantially equal to one-half of the caps lower circumference. This places the b-a-nds lines of attachment 20 in front of a wearers ears with the result thatwhen band 12 is worn in its rearwardly-extending position (FIG. 1)

In other-words, with the band 12 in its rearward position, a wearers ears, as well as the back of his head and his upper neck portion, are covered not only by'the body of cap 10 but also by the overlying fabric of the knitted band.

Since the band is stretchable transversely as well as longitudinally, it may be easily pulled or stretched downwardly so that it extends below the lower rear limits of the cap to give additional protection for a wearers neck. FIG. 1 therefor illustrates a normal position for the knitted faceband 12 when a protective covering for the wearers face is believed unnecessary, and especially where additional protection for the ears and the back of the head is desirable. For example, in skiing, when the wind is blowing from behind the skier and the speed of the skiers forward travel is not great enough to make face protection necessary, the band 12 may be advantageously Worn in the position illustrated in FIG. 1.

During rapid downhill skiing, or at other times when an icy wind is blowing into the wearers face, band 12 may be easily and quickly shifted into the forwardly extending position illustrated in FIG. 2. When so worn, the stretchable band 12 extends over the wearers lower face portion and beneath his chin. It will be noted that the side portions of the band cover the wearers cheeks and, if desired, the front portion of the band may be stretched transversely to cover not only the wearers mouth but also his nose. Full protection for the wearers face is therefor provided by the band in combination with the cap to which it is attached.

An important aspect of the present invention lies in the fact that the band may be readily shifted between its rearwardly-extending and forwardly-extending positions without requiring removal of the cap from a wearers head. This is possible because the ends of the band are stitched to the outer surface of the cap. However, it is to be understood that the band may alternatively be secured in like manner to the inside surface .of the cap in those cases where removal of the cap for the purpose of adjusting the band is not considered particularly disadvantageous.

In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, band 12 is shifted between its rearwardly-extending and forwardly-extending positions in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3. It will be noted that the band, as it is shifted, should be twisted as represented by broken line 29 so that when it is adjusted into its face-covering position (indicated by broken line 22) the side portions of the band overlying the temples of the wearer will be substantially flat and untwisted.

It is believed apparent that when the band is in its lowered face-covering position (FIG. 2), it contributes significantly in holding cap 10 snugly upon a wearers head. The stretching of the lowered band in a longitudinal direction exerts a downward and forward pull on the caps ear and temple portions and, in addition, tends to stretch the rear portion of the cap tightly about the back of a Wearers head and neck. Also, when the band is in its rearWardly-extending position (FIG. 1), it assists in holding the forehead and temple covering portions 14 and 15 in closefitting contact with the wearer. The embodiment of FIGS. 5 through 8 is substantially identical to the form already described except that head covering 10' takes the form of a headband rather than a full cap. Like cap 10, headband 10' is provided with portions 14', 15', 16' and 17 which cover the forehead, temples, ears and rear head portion and neck of a wearer. Except for the absence of crown-covering portion 13, the headwear of FIGS. 5-8 is identical in construction and operation to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4.

In the use of both embodiments, circumstances may arise Where frequent shifting of the face mask into and out of face-covering position is desired. As previously mentioned, the mask or band 12 (or 12) may be quickly moved from the positionillustrated in FIG. 2 (or FIG. 6) into the position of FIG. 1 (or FIG. 5). However, adjustment of the band may also be stopped at an intermediate point. For example, band 12 or 12' may simply be lifted into a position where it overlies a wearers forehead as indicated by broken lines 23 and 23 in FIGS. 2 and 6. In such a position, the band provides additional protection for the forehead and sinuses of a wearer and, if desired, may be easily shifted by a short downward pull into the face-covering position illustrated in solid lines in FIGS. 2 and 6.

While in the foregoing I have disclosed two embodiments of the invention in considerable detail for purposes of illustration, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that many of these details may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A head cover and face mask combination comprising a fabric body having forehead, temple-, ear-, and neckcovering portions joined together in a continuous band adapted to be fitted about the head of a wearer; and an elongated rectangular knitted faceband capable of stretching longitudinally and transversely and having its end edges permanently secured to diametrically opposite templecovering portions of said body by generally vertical lines of stitching extending transversely of said faceband and positioned well in front of the ear-covering portions of said body; the length of said faceband in an unstretched state being substantially equal to one-half of the circumference of the continuous band of said body; said faceband being movable between a first position wherein the same overlies and is stretched rearwardly about said neckcovering portion in surface-engagement therewith; and a second position stretched forwardly in spaced relation beneath said forehead-covering portion for covering and protecting the lower portion of a wearers face; said faceband also being movable into any of a variety of selected head-covering positions between said first and second positions; the surface of said faceband engaging said neckcovering portion when said faceband is in said first position facing outwardly away from said body when said faceband is in said second position.

2. The structure of claim 1 in which said body comprises a knitted cap having a closed top portion adapted to extend over the crown of a wearers head, said top portion being integral with said forehead, temple, ear-, and neck-covering portions.

3. The structure of claim 1 in which said body comprises a knitted band having a top opening for exposing the crown of a wearers head.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner. G. KRIZMANICH, Assistant Examiner.

Hirsch 2209 

1. A HEAD COVER AND FACE MASK COMBINATION COMPRISING A FABRIC BODY HAVING FOREHEAD, TEMPLE-, EAR-, AND NECKCOVERING PORTIONS JOINED TOGETHER IN A CONTINUOUS BAND ADAPTED TO BE FITTED ABOUT THE HEAD OF A WEARER; AND AN ELONGATED RECTANGULAR KNITTED FACEBAND CAPABLE OF STRETCHING LONGITUDINALLY AND TRANSVERSELY AND HAVING ITS END EDGES PERMANENTLY SECURED TO DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSITE TEMPLECOVERING PORTIONS OF SAID BODY BY GENERALLY VERTICAL LINES OF STITCHING EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF SAID FACEBAND AND POSITIONED WELL IN FRONT OF THE EAR-COVERING PORTIONS OF SAID BODY; THE LENGTH OF SAID FACEBAND IN AN UNSTRETCHED STATE BEING SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO ONE-HALF OF THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE CONTINUOUS BAND OF SAID BODY; SAID FACEBAND BEING MOVABLE BETWEEN A FIRST POSITION WHEREIN THE SAME OVERLIES AND IS STRETCHED REARWARDLY ABOUT SAID NECKCOVERING PORTION IN SURFACE-ENGAGEMENT THEREWITH; AND A SECOND POSITION STRETCHED FORWARDLY IN SPACED RELATION BENEATH SAID FOREHEAD-COVERING PORTION FOR COVERING AND PROTECTING THE LOWER PORTION OF A WEARER''S FACE; SAID FACEBAND ALSO BEING MOVABLE INTO ANY OF A VARIETY OF SELECTED HEAD-COVERING POSITIONS BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS; THE SURFACE OF SAID FACEBAND ENGAGING SAID NECKCOVERING PORTION WHEN SAID FACEBAND IS IN SAID FIRST POSITION FACING OUTWARDLY AWAY FROM SAID BODY WHEN SAID FACEBAND IS IN SAID SECOND POSITION. 